Tuesday, May 11, 2010

I want one that shits fire, daddy

Another feature of the recent pony collecting scene is the making and selling of custom ponies. This is an art form in which common or poor condition ponies (called bait) are redesigned according to the vision of the artist. Customizers may paint new symbols on the pony, change their body color, paint their eyes, and re-thread their manes and tails with a different color of nylon hair. Some customs can become very elaborate, using sculpted parts, specially made wings, rhinestones, and/or detailed painting all over the pony. Customs have found a sizable market on eBay alongside regular pony sales but it is typically not a profitable enterprise. Artists are often commissioned by collectors and non-collectors alike to make a unique pony.